What You Need to Know About Malaria When Traveling

Malaria is endemic to many tropical parts of the world and can lead to serious complications if you contract the disease while traveling. So, if you are planning a trip to the tropical region, here’s what you need to know.

Find out if your travel plans are putting you at risk

West Africa is the region with the highest risk of malaria transmission, and other parts of Africa, Asia, Oceania and parts of South America may also pose a risk of malaria. But it depends on where exactly you are traveling and when.

So when you know you have a trip to the tropics, visit a doctor or clinic that understands travel medicine. They can help you figure out how dangerous malaria is at your destination and, depending on your plans, they can recommend medications to prevent malaria. Even if you’ve been to the area before or lived there as a child, you may still be at risk. (The CDC calls people in this situation “VFR travelers” to “visit friends and family,” and they have a dedicated page for you about malaria risk.)

For a preview of what a healthcare professional has to tell you, check out this CDC chart detailing the risk of malaria and recommended medications for different locations around the world. Recommendations will also depend on how long you plan to be in the area and your own health condition, as described in this risk assessment guide .

If you have been prescribed a medication, take it.

You may be given medication for malaria (“chemoprophylaxis”), which you must take throughout your trip. If so, take it. This does not guarantee that you will avoid getting sick, but it will greatly increase your chances. And if you contract malaria while on medication, you are likely to have a less severe case.

If you take your medicine inconsistently, you can still get malaria, but symptoms may take longer. Do yourself and your health care providers a favor and take your medications as recommended.

In some cases, you may also be given a “back-up emergency” medicine for malaria if you become infected and cannot see your healthcare provider. Know how to use it, take it with you, but don’t use it as an excuse to skip other medications.

Avoid Mosquito Bites

Whether you are taking medication or not, it is important to avoid mosquito bites. (Malaria is caused by a microscopic parasite, and the parasite is spread from person to person through mosquitoes.) Mosquito repellents are important: CDC recommends repellents that use DEET, IR3535, lemon eucalyptus oil, or picaridin.

Window screens and other barriers can also help prevent mosquito bites. If you are not sure what conditions to expect, or if you know you will find yourself in an area where mosquitoes and malaria are common, you can bring an insecticide-treated bed net to keep mosquitoes away from your body while you sleep. (Place it under the mattress.) Malaria-carrying mosquitoes are most active at night.

Common sense is also used to prevent mosquito bites: Consider wearing long-sleeved shirts and covering as much exposed skin as possible; stay inside when mosquitoes are active; and cover the carriers with a mosquito net.

Watch for symptoms

You can get malaria even after you return from a trip. Watch for fever or flu symptoms, including headaches, chills, and muscle weakness, for at least three months. Be sure to tell your doctor that you have been in an area with malaria.

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